After watching for a while, Xu Yuantai opened his mouth to ask.
"Today, Minister Shi invited Xiao Pinglu to the Ministry of War for questioning. Commander Li, what are you doing here?"
Xu Yuantai disliked Li Rusong's arrogance. Just now, when he saw Li Rusong's sword fiercely hit the door post, he knew that it must be Li Rusong who made the first move, but was restrained instead. He had heard a little about it and knew that Li Rusong was already very unhappy with Xiao Ruxun. After today's torment, it was estimated that it would be even worse. Today's questioning by the Ministry of War was not simple. He got the news that the Li family sent many people to embarrass Xiao Ruxun, so he asked this question.
"Please fight!"
Li Rusong said these two words straightforwardly.
"Please fight? What fight? If you want to fight, just write a report and hand it over, and someone will naturally summon you. Is the Ministry of War a place where you can come and go as you please? Without being summoned, how can you enter if you are not an official of the Ministry of War? Ridiculous! Go back! "
In the face of Xu Yuantai's angry rebuke, Li Rusong's self-esteem was constantly stimulated, and the anger in his chest burned more and more fiercely.
Xu Yuantai's anger also grew fiercer.
Seeing Xiao Ruxun first admit his mistake and then wait quietly without saying a word, and then looking at Li Rusong's arrogant look, those who did not know would think that the battle in Ningxia was not won by Xiao Ruxun. At the same time, they had a more favorable impression of Xiao Ruxun, and the balance in their hearts gradually tilted towards Xiao Ruxun.
It was rumored that Xiao Ruxun was a scholarly general who had read books and had a graceful demeanor. He was praised by Wei Xuezeng, Ye Mengxiong, and Mei Guozhen. Now it seemed that it was indeed so!
"Xiao Pinglu, go in first. Shi Butang has been waiting for you for a long time."
With Li Rusong as a negative example, Xu Yuantai's attitude toward Xiao Ruxun also became much more polite. After all, this was a general who had been conferred the title of nobility by his own ability and military merits. Many officials even admired him a little, so he still had to give him face. Comparing the two, Xu Yuantai was even angrier toward Li Rusong.
"Many thanks, Assistant Minister Xu."
Xiao Ruxun cupped his fists and saluted. He slowly walked into the Yamen of the Ministry of War, looking elegant.
When Li Rusong saw that Xiao Ruxun was about to walk inside, he panicked and shouted, "Assistant Minister Xu, I is really here to request a duel! Assistant Minister Xu, please make things convenient for me and let I meet Shi Butang. That brat is only twenty-two years old. After winning a single battle, he doesn't know the immensity of the heavens and the earth. I, Li Rusong, have galloped on the battlefield for thirty years. In what way am I not better than him? "
Li Rusong was a good general, but he was definitely not a good official. With Li Chengliang backing him up, he had always been straightforward and outspoken. However, this time, he had forgotten that this was not Shanxi, where he was stationed. This was the capital where even his father had to lower his head. Although Xu Yuantai was old, he was a true high-ranking official. The authority in his hands was not something that generals of the same rank could compare to.
Thus, although Li Rusong and Xiao Ruxun were both second-rank military officers and Xiao Ruxun was a count, this was not actual authority. In terms of authority, no general could compare to a third-rank official like Xu Yuantai. In truth, a fourth-rank minor official of the Martial Selection Division was able to tightly control the promotion of generals, so how could they not be so arrogant?
Li Chengliang might have great authority, but that was in Liaodong. Now that you've left your post, who knows when you'll be able to be reinstated. Do you think you can still be arrogant?
But this wasn't surprising. His father was in imminent danger, so as a son, he naturally had to fight for his father's right to speak. Thus, it was one thing to miss the battle of Ningxia, but he couldn't miss the battle of Korea. It was one thing for Xiao Ruxun to seize the merit of the battle of Ningxia, but if he wanted to seize the command of the army for the battle of Korea, then he would be going against the entire Liaodong faction.
Of course!
Xiao Ruxun would definitely reply like this! If I have a chance, I will definitely clean up the entire Liaodong faction and enforce military discipline!
The defeat of the Liaodong army was due to Li Chengliang's own fault and the serious corruption of military discipline! It was almost the same as the invasion of the Manchurian Qing. No matter how strong this kind of army was, it couldn't do anything!
Both Li Chengliang and Li Rusong felt the crisis. They both felt that the Liaodong army might face challenges from other local armies, so they were so eager to seek benefits for the generals of the Liaodong faction. Otherwise, they would be abandoned.
How could they miss such an opportunity? If they missed it, when would they have the next chance?
But Xu Yuantai, who stood in front of him, just wouldn't let them go.
"You can't enter the Ministry of War without being summoned! This is an important military place, how can you break in?! Li Rusong, if you don't leave, I will submit a memorial to you! "
Xu Yuantai's voice and countenance were also severe. Looking at Li Rusong's pestering appearance, it was as if a man in his forties was fighting with a young man in his twenties for a woman's affection. Was it interesting? Didn't he have any face?
Li Rusong, on the other hand, was also suffering in silence. He had a bellyful of bitterness and anger. Being bullied on three sides was driving him crazy!
"Assistant Minister, the Ministry of War said to let Commander Li in to talk."
A low-ranking official came out of the yamen and whispered in Xu Yuantai's ear.
"What? This is the order of the Ministry of War? "
The low-ranking official nodded. Xu Yuantai's face was full of surprise. He frowned, looked at Li Rusong, and stepped aside helplessly. "The Ministry of War said to let you in to talk."
"The Ministry of War said to let me …" Li Rusong didn't understand at first, but after pondering for a moment, he was overjoyed. He cupped his fists and rushed into the yamen of the Ministry of War, which made Xu Yuantai shake his head.
"A man in his forties has such an unstable temperament. How can he be the commander of the whole army? If he is the commander, I don't know how many disasters he will cause! In the future, Li Rusong will die because of his arrogance and recklessness! "
Xu Yuantai's words came true.
After Xiao Ruxun entered the duty room of the Minister of War, he saw four or five officials sitting in the small room, all of whom seemed to be the heads of the Ministry of War. The senior official in a red robe should be the Minister of War, Shi Xing. At this time, he and these people were gathered around a map of North Korea. After the person who brought Xiao Ruxun in reported, Shi Xing turned around and saw Xiao Ruxun. The other officials of the Ministry of War also turned around and looked at Xiao Ruxun.
"I, Ningxia Zongbing Xiao Ruxun, pay my respects to the Ministry of War."
No matter what, etiquette must be in place.
"Xiao Pinglu, I've heard of your name for a long time. May I know who you were arguing with outside just now?"
This was the first sentence of Shi Xing, which made Xiao Ruxun sure that Shi Xing definitely knew about Li Rusong.
"Shanxi Zongbing Li Rusong."
"Li Rusong … hmm … someone, bring Li Rusong in."
Shi Xing indifferently let Li Rusong in. This was not out of Xiao Ruxun's expectations. Li Rusong was originally the favorite candidate of one or several of the officials present today. They were inextricably linked to the Liaodong faction, and this deep network was something that Xiao Ruxun did not possess. Li Chengliang had not spent so many years building up his relationship with the civil officials for nothing.
However, this did not stop Xiao Ruxun from taking the position of the Eastern Punitive Expedition's commander. In fact, it was already very clear who the Wanli Emperor would choose. Shi Xing was very clear about this. The reason why he did this was because there was also a considerable amount of pressure from all sides.
Behind him, there was also the demand of an entire interest group. The forces that supported him in starting the war were the officials of all the coastal provinces. No one wanted Japan to start a war in their jurisdiction, so they were trying their best to divert the trouble. In order to facilitate this decision, he shouted so loudly. When there was a difference in the candidate, Shi Xing also faced other pressures.
Li Rusong rushed in, wiping his sweat and panting heavily. He looked a little disheveled. On the other hand, Xiao Ruxun looked indifferent and did not sweat at all. His expression was calm and composed, and he had the demeanor of a famous general from ancient times. One could say that one was like Wei Qing, and the other was like Huo Qubing.
The officials who supported Xiao Ruxun secretly nodded their heads, while those who supported Li Rusong frowned. Even Shi Xing could not help but express in his heart that at this moment, the scales in his heart were tilted towards Xiao Ruxun. This young general had a calmness that did not match his age, and compared to the eccentric Li Rusong, he was much more modest and polite. This was also the reason why a considerable number of those who were on the fence eventually leaned towards Xiao Ruxun.
Li Rusong's own eccentric temper had offended many of the civil officials. When they found out about the battle for the commander, regardless of whether they were in court or not, they all took the initiative to build support for Xiao Ruxun. No matter what, they would not allow Li Rusong to be complacent. This time, the generals and nobles were working against Li Chengliang, and the local officials who were on the fence were working against Li Rusong. Xiao Ruxun had actually gained a great advantage.
The situation had really changed.
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